Official Trézor® Startup Guide | Trézor.io/Start®

This is the official, step-by-step guide to setting up your Trezor hardware wallet. By following the process at **Trezor.io/Start**, you ensure maximum security by generating your private keys offline, protecting them from online threats, malware, and hackers. Your journey to true self-custody starts here.

Part 1: Unboxing, Verification, and Software Installation

Security begins before you even plug in the device. The Trezor ecosystem is built on a foundation of transparency and verification.

⚠️ Tamper-Evidence Check is Vital

Before proceeding, **inspect your Trezor box meticulously**. Check the holographic seal (Model T/Safe 3) or factory seals (Model One). If there is *any* sign of damage, previous opening, or tampering, **do not use the device.** Unplug it immediately and contact Trezor support. A genuine, new Trezor always ships uninitialized.

Step 1: Navigate to the Official Start Portal

  1. **Preparation:** Ensure you have the Trezor device, the USB cable, the **Wallet Backup Card(s)**, and a pen.
  2. **Official Site:** Open a web browser and go directly to **Trezor.io/Start**. This portal guides you to the correct, verified software.
  3. **Download Trezor Suite:** This is the primary software for managing your device and assets. Download and install the dedicated **Trezor Suite Desktop** application (recommended over the web version for enhanced security).

Step 2: Connect and Install Firmware

Your new Trezor device arrives without its operating system (firmware). This step securely installs the genuine software.

  1. **Connect:** Plug your Trezor into your computer using the supplied cable. The device screen will light up, prompting you to visit the start page.
  2. **Launch Suite:** Open the **Trezor Suite** application you just installed. It will detect the device.
  3. **Install Firmware:** Trezor Suite will prompt you to **Install firmware**. Click this button. This installation process includes a cryptographic signature check to verify that the firmware code is **100% genuine** from SatoshiLabs (Trezor's creator).
  4. **Confirmation:** Confirm the installation on the Trezor device itself. The device will then reboot with the necessary software installed.

Part 2: Wallet Creation, Backup, and PIN Setup

This is the most crucial part of the setup. Your **Wallet Backup** (also known as the Recovery Seed or Secret Recovery Phrase) is generated entirely offline on the Trezor's secure chip. It is your master key—your funds depend on its security.

Step 3: Create Wallet and Generate Backup

  1. **New Wallet:** In Trezor Suite, select **Create new wallet**.
  2. **Backup Type:** You will choose between **Single-share Backup** (the standard 12, 20, or 24-word phrase) or **Multi-share Backup** (Shamir Backup, for advanced users). **For beginners, choose Single-share Backup.**
  3. **Write Down the Words:** The words will appear **only on the Trezor device screen**. Write them down **in the correct order** on the provided physical **Wallet Backup Card(s)**. **Do not use your computer, phone, or camera.**

🚨 **THE TREZOR RULE: NEVER DIGITIZE YOUR BACKUP**

If your 12 to 24 words are ever stored digitally (e.g., cloud, email, notes app), they are vulnerable to remote attack. The physical backup is the only thing that protects you from total loss if your device is damaged or lost. Treat it like a large amount of cash.

Step 4: Verify and Secure the Backup

  1. **Verification Check:** After writing down the words, the Trezor device will prompt you to enter certain words from your list to verify the backup. This ensures you've recorded the phrase correctly. (For Trezor Model T/Safe 3, this input is done on the secure touchscreen.)
  2. **Confirmation:** Trezor Suite confirms the backup is successful.
  3. **Secure Storage:** Place the physical backup card in a secure, private, and offline location. Consider fireproof or metal storage solutions for maximum durability.

Step 5: Set Your PIN Code

The PIN protects your device from unauthorized physical use. It is required every time you connect your Trezor.

  1. **Set PIN:** In Trezor Suite, click **Set PIN**.
  2. **Input on Device:** You will enter a **4 to 9 digit PIN** directly on the **Trezor screen** (Model T/Safe 3) or by using the corresponding numbers on the randomized grid displayed in Trezor Suite (Model One). **The numbers shuffle every time for security.**
  3. **Confirmation:** Enter the PIN a second time to confirm. Once complete, your device is ready to hold crypto.

Part 3: Mastering Trezor Suite — Managing Your Portfolio

Trezor Suite is your powerful, privacy-focused interface. It allows you to check balances, manage transactions, and access integrated services, all while the Trezor hardware handles the keys.

Step 6: Activate Accounts and Receive Funds

  1. **Dashboard Access:** Click **Access Suite**. Go to the **Accounts** tab and click **Activate more assets**. Choose the coins you want to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Trezor Suite will create the corresponding accounts.
  2. **Receive:** To get your first crypto, click the **Receive** tab within the specific account. Trezor Suite will generate a new receiving address.
  3. **CRITICAL ADDRESS VERIFICATION:** You **must** click **Verify on device**. The full address will appear on your Trezor's secure screen. **Compare the address on the computer to the address on the Trezor.** If they match, approve the address on the device. Copy the verified address and send it to the party sending you funds.
**💡 Privacy Feature:** Trezor Suite automatically generates a new receiving address for every transaction. While older addresses remain valid, using a new one improves your privacy on the blockchain.

Step 7: Sending Funds (The Offline Signature)

This is where the Trezor’s security shines. The final, irreversible step of signing the transaction happens entirely offline.

  1. **Initiate Send:** Go to the **Send** tab, enter the recipient's address, and the amount. Select your desired network fee.
  2. **Review:** Click **Review & Send**. The unsigned transaction is sent to your Trezor device.
  3. **Physical Confirmation:** The Trezor screen will display the transaction details: **Recipient Address, Amount, and Fee.** Scroll and check every detail carefully.
  4. **Approve:** Only if the details are correct, press the button(s) on your Trezor to **Confirm** the transaction. The signed transaction is sent back to the Suite and broadcast to the network.

Step 8: Integrated Services and Portfolio Tools

  • **Buy, Sell, Swap:** Trezor Suite integrates with trusted third-party exchanges (via Invity) to allow you to buy, sell, or swap over 1,000 different assets directly to or from your secure Trezor accounts.
  • **Discreet Mode:** Click the eye icon in the bottom corner of Trezor Suite to instantly hide your balances and portfolio values. Perfect for public or shared computer environments.
  • **Tor Integration:** For maximum privacy, you can enable **Tor** (The Onion Router) directly within Trezor Suite settings. This routes your connection through an anonymized network, concealing your location.
  • **Coin Control:** Advanced Bitcoin users can leverage the **Coin Control** feature to manage their UTXOs (Unspent Transaction Outputs) for better privacy and fee control.

Part 4: The Passphrase (25th Word) — Extreme Security

The Passphrase is an **optional but powerful** feature for experienced users seeking the highest level of security. It creates a "hidden wallet" that is completely separate from your standard wallet.

Using the Passphrase Feature

  1. **Activation:** Enable the Passphrase feature in **Trezor Suite Settings > Device**.
  2. **The Secret Key:** When you connect your Trezor, you will enter your PIN, and then the Trezor will prompt you for the Passphrase (which can be any word, phrase, or sentence).
  3. **Hidden Wallet:** Your PIN + Wallet Backup + **Correct Passphrase** = Access to your main, secure funds.
  4. **Decoy Wallet:** Your PIN + Wallet Backup + **No Passphrase** (or a fake one) = Access to the "standard" (decoy) wallet, which you can intentionally keep empty or lightly funded.

🚨 **PASS PHRASE CAUTION:**

If you forget your Passphrase, there is absolutely no way to recover your funds. It is not part of your written backup. Choose a very strong phrase, memorize it, and never store it digitally.